Arab American Journalists Criticize Mainstream American Media for Selective Coverage

The National Arab American Journalists Association (NAAJA) has launched the “Arab American Resource Web Page” to help mainstream journalists improve coverage of Arab American related issues.

Saying mainstream American news media have failed to adequately cover the Arab American community which contributes to the American public’s confusion on important issues such as Arabs, Islam and terrorism, NAAJA identified the top five (5) topics Arab American journalists believe need more detailed attention.

“The mainstream American news media is selective about what it covers in the Arab American community, feeding confusion about facts and events that directly impact this country,” said NAAJA coordinator and syndicated columnist Ray Hanania.

Hanania said topics will change periodically as the media improves its coverage.

Top five issues, according to the web site, are:

1 - Celebrations on Israel’s 60th Anniversary miss or exclude Palestinian commemorations.

2 - Lack of major coverage of a war related contract abuse trial now taking place in Rockford, Illinois. Arab Americans believe the larger story of corporate corruption is ignored.

3 - Bigotry, racism and discrimination against Arab Americans. Every day, Arab Americans face discrimination but very few instances receive detailed media coverage.

4 - Inadequate coverage on Middle East Christians, especially since this week is celebrated by Orthodox Christians throughout the world and the Middle East as Easter.

“We are not asking the mainstream media to be pro-Arab. We are demanding that they be objective and fair in coverage of issues where we, as professional journalists, are more knowledgeable,” Hanania said.

“We are asking mainstream newspapers, radio and TV news operations to be more professional by covering topics more comprehensively. We believe the media must give Arab Americans a voice and in doing so, help make American journalism more professional.”

NAAJA is a partner of the Society of Professional Journalists and abides by the SPJ’s Code of Conduct. There are more than 250 Arab Americans working in mainstream journalism jobs or for the Arab ethnic media. There are 82 Arab American newspapers and magazines, 12 Arab American radio programs, and a dozen Arab American cable TV shows.

Source: National Arab American Journalists Association

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